ACC to Add Louisville in 2014

Once Maryland announced they were leaving the ACC, the conference seemed destined to follow a familiar path in adding a Big East school. That trend continued, as Louisville was selected over other options such as UConn and Cincinnati. Uconn was considered the top option after Louisville, but with the all-sports success at Louisville and their longer legacy as an FBS football program, the school was selected over Uconn and Cincinnati. Should the ACC lose any schools in the future to the Big Ten, SEC or even Big 12, both schools will likely be reconsidered as replacements.

We’re at a time when nearly all ACC schools are considered potential options for other conferences. The Big Ten could look further south by adding a pair from the pool of Virginia, Duke, North Carolina and Georgia Tech, or to the north with Syracuse or Boston College. The SEC could always revisit expansion into new areas with schools such as Virginia Tech and NC State. The Big 12 could push further east with schools such as Florida St., Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia Tech.

I think it has more to do with potential revenue. If the SEC comes calling when they are up for a new TV contract, one has to think that schools like VATech and NC State would listen. They’d make more money, that is a lock, and likely enough to pay the $50 million exit fee with some ease. NC St can look at TAMU and see the benefit if being away from the shadows set by dominant instate rivals.

For the big 12, if they have a potential revenue boost in adding schools, they too could attract schools like FSU and Clemson. It comes down to the money: if its there, then a school/conference will consider it.

The ACC made fine moves. But when a founding member leaves, despite a $50 million exit fee, it is proof of where the ACC is in the pecking order: #5. The big 12 has their waiver fee rights protection meaning an exit could be $100 million, so no big 12 school will leave for the ACC.

Really, when the big 12 and sec signed the champions bowl contract, it became clear that the top conferences are Big Ten, SEC, PAC-12 and Big 12.

Andy

It comes down to money, as usual. There are rumblings that Florida State wants out of the ACC and the Big 12 is interested in the Seminoles and possibly Clemson.

I think the expansion ball is in the Big 12’s court right now since they only have 10 and may want to get to 12 or 14 to keep pace with the other power leagues. The southern ACC schools, South Florida, Cincinnati and possibly Boise State or BYU would be on their list.

http://matt.peloquin.info Matt Peloquin

I think it has more to do with potential revenue. If the SEC comes calling when they are up for a new TV contract, one has to think that schools like VATech and NC State would listen. They’d make more money, that is a lock, and likely enough to pay the $50 million exit fee with some ease. NC St can look at TAMU and see the benefit if being away from the shadows set by dominant instate rivals.

For the big 12, if they have a potential revenue boost in adding schools, they too could attract schools like FSU and Clemson. It comes down to the money: if its there, then a school/conference will consider it.

The ACC made fine moves. But when a founding member leaves, despite a $50 million exit fee, it is proof of where the ACC is in the pecking order: #5. The big 12 has their waiver fee rights protection meaning an exit could be $100 million, so no big 12 school will leave for the ACC.

Really, when the big 12 and sec signed the champions bowl contract, it became clear that the top conferences are Big Ten, SEC, PAC-12 and Big 12.

Phil

If I was the Big East basketball only schools I would say screw you guys, we are out of here and taking the Big East name with us to save it. Then bring in some of the top teams from other very good basketball only leagues like the A10, MVC, and non-football CAA schools

Guy

I understand the ACC has been suffering on the field, but why is there constant assumption that it will lose schools to the SEC/Big 10/Big 12. Despite the rumors, the fact is the ACC has lost 1 school and it was Maryland. That is not exactly a powerhouse program. Meanwhile, it has added 3. I think the ACC is being proactive in keeping the conference together by appealing to the Tobacco Road schools (adding Pitt & Cuse) and the southern schools (by adding L’ville).

Andy

The Big East continues to fall apart. Now it’s lost Louisville and could still lose Cincinnati and UConn depending on if the Big 12 or SEC go after Florida State and Clemson. The conference has lost it’s automatic bid to the BCS and now must share it with four other conferences, including Conference USA.

As far as football goes, the Big East has simply become a rebranded Conference USA. I think Boise State and San Diego State are foolish for staying a part of this mess. They gain very little from the Big East from what they would have in the Mountain West, including access to a BCS bid.

How much longer can marquee basketball programs like Georgetown, Villanova and Marquette put up with this nonsense?